Delta's premium product $ucks, says frequent flier

[410dude]

[font=ARIAL,]I've just returned from a quick trip to the UK flying DL from ATL to LGW. Both legs in BizE. Both legs on 767ER's

The condition of DL's 767ER's are embarrassing. On the way out my seat was broken (not being able to fully extend the leg rest), one of the lavs was non-functional, the other two in the premium cabin were showing tremendous signs of wear and tear, the cabin was full of dust and had a overall dingy and dirty appearance. The pillow waiting on my seat was stained. The blankets were worn and tattered.

When distributing newspapers before takeoff the FA offered me a USAToday. I asked her "is there was anything else" and she answered, "that's what I say when I look at my paycheck."

The meal service was fine but for the rest of the flight until breakfast not a single FA walked through the cabin to check if anyone needed anything else.

On the way back, my seat was again broken as the em-power didn't work. The condition of the cabin was even worse than the aircraft I took on the way over and the FA's were equally unconcerned.

In sharp contrast I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Manchester on Thursday and back to Heathrow on Friday. This is a one class service but you can purchase a business class fare (about 20 GBP more than a regular economy fare). For the 20 GBP you get access to the Terraces lounge at Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow. A pre-assigned seat and a larger free baggage allowance.

It was the first time I was in a BA Terraces lounge. This lounge is one tier below BA's first class lounge. In every aspect the Terraces lounge beats DL's Crown Room or any BizE lounge it has.

The service on the short (30 - 35 minute) flights were impeccable. A snack box and two drink services were offered. The FA's were attentive and very polite.

Going forward, I think I'll fly BA's economy or premium class over rather than DL's BizE. There's just no comparison between the two carriers.


Hey General, how do you defend this?[/font]

 

[On Your Six]

Did he mention the super-old, crotchety stews? Ohhh yes, he did.... I flew BA a few months back and the stews were young, fresh and attentive... The Virgin stews are even better....

 

[Broke in CVG]

That's because we no longer carry passengers/customers.... we carry self-loading cargo!

 

[canyonblue]

The Virgin stews are even better....

I didn't know there were any.

 

[jws717]

Thats beacuse deltas biz e is just filled with a pile of non revs. But in all honesty it is not that bad, the equvalent is saying i stayed in the hilton and they suck because the ritz is better

 

[olympus593]

I got to agree I flew International carriers F, C and Y class (BA,AF,KLM,VS) there is no comparaison with US Airlines, They even give you free drink ( Including Champagne ) in coach!!!

 

[ivauir]

But in all honesty it is not that bad, the equvalent is saying i stayed in the hilton and they suck because the ritz is better

Delta used to be the Ritz

 

[jws717]

pan am used to be the ritz, and i got a free round on delta on the way to rome, in the cattle class. By the way i dont realy care for people who think they are to cool for biz e. You know how many people will work their entire life and never eaven be able to afford a trip to europe in any class. but this is to much of a chore in biz e for mr fancy pants. grow up sit down dont bitch and eat your f-n peanuts.

 

[Metro752]

I know I typed in flightinfo.com and not airliners.net

I think!

 

[General Lee]

410dude,


How much was the fare by the way? As far as our business E class, I think it is great. I am sure there are some planes that need some interior upgrades, and some of the ERs are getting them right now as we speak. It takes a while to do the outfitting, including new leather interiors, and new bathrooms that really do look nice (we have a few 757s in the new interior, and many MD88s). We can't really afford to take some of the 76ERs out of service even for a week during the busy Summer period. (We maybe could take a couple out at a time---not the whole fleet)

As far as the service from the stews, I do admit that sometimes the service is spotty. Some people really care about doing a great job, and some are burned out. We have a seniority based system, and the senior mamas like going to Europe so they can go shopping with other stews they have known for 30 plus years. What a great social life, eh? Firing them would amount to age discrimination. What can you do? Pay cuts. Offer large retirement packages (that hurt us financially even more). IF we could get rid of some, then we might be able to hire young, fun ones that actually care. (and are cheaper by the hour) But, it is tough to do any of that----except at a new LCC.

I think we are trying to get better overall, and our Song product was voted best LCC by Reader's Digest (not bad). We will probably add more of Song and subtract more of mainline to get the better product, but not on INTL routes. I am sure a complaint written by you to the right people would cause some sort of an investigation---and maybe some sort of change, or maybe spot inpections on service. Who knows? I would write somebody and tell them about your gripes.

As far as going BA or VS, I would say---DO IT. That leaves one more seat for that executive from Dothan, AL that doesn't have a choice and needs to go to Europe to sell Condoms. (Dothan has 2 or 3 Condom factories------heard that from an ASA pilot.....)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Ty Webb]

Hey, General Lee, I was wondering where you were . . . figured you would ring in on this one. Seems like a pretty reasonable analysis to me.

Oddly enough, we're pulling for you guys over on "C". If you were to go Ch. 11 it would hurt us, too. A rising tide lifts all ships . . . . hope we all get to that point soon.

 

[Russ]

Way to go General, pi$$ing off a plane load of passengers, one at a time.

 

[General Lee]

Way to go General, pi$$ing off a plane load of passengers, one at a time.

Hey, I told him to tell somebody that could possibly remedy the situation. If I say something to the stews, they would tell me to shut up and then make sure I didn't get squat for food or beverages. (I usually just get my own anyway) He probably should have said something to someone. I drive the bus and always say goodbye after my perfect landings(some of the time anyway)...... Thank gawd you guys at SkyWest have never pi$$ed off a passenger, especially last Winter when you couldn't shoot Cat IIs at SLC.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Hey, General Lee, I was wondering where you were . . . figured you would ring in on this one. Seems like a pretty reasonable analysis to me.

Oddly enough, we're pulling for you guys over on "C". If you were to go Ch. 11 it would hurt us, too. A rising tide lifts all ships . . . . hope we all get to that point soon.

Ty,

I am still shooting for 5000 posts, almost there. As far as Chap 11, I don't know. The powers at be DO NOT tell me what will happen. I try to guess, but have been wrong before. IF there is a chance we might go into court after OCT 17th, I would rather us go before with the easier rules. I hope we don't have to, but who knows? My line at the bottom says they "aren't failing to plan, and they certainly aren't planning to fail......" I hope they are right.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Vik]

i stopped flying US carriers about 3-4 yrs ago for that same reason. Its bad enough having to spend nearly 20hrs on a plane to get to where I need to be .. but having to pay top dollar and get bottom service, blows.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Been going back & forth from California to London for business and have been flying on United, flew 1st class, Business Class, & Coach Class (Economy Plus), got to say, United needs some improvement as well. The London based F/A's were not exactly the best, in fact, I think it would have been a little better if I am able to serve myself, and in case anybody is curious, the tickets were paid for, no freebie tickets.

 

[CLE145CA]

My father's experience on DL has not been the best lately either. On one recent three-hour flight to ATL connecting on to his destination, there was no service at all. When I mean no service it was just that. No juice, no coffee, no water---nothing! He had asked the FA when he boarded if they were going to serve coffee because the airport concessions were not yet open so he couldn't get some. (This was a 0600 departure to ATL.) She responded, "There is no service on this flight." He thought she was joking. Sure enough during the flight he said not one flight attendant passed through the aisle. He said at that point he did a count and there were 50 people on the 737-800. So on a three-hour flight these flight attedants couldn't even offer water?

My parents do a lot of traveling and they don't non-rev anywhere. I told my father to write the airline since, as a paying passenger, he has the right to "vent his frustration" over poor, unfriendly and uncaring service.

 

[410dude]

My father's experience on DL has not been the best lately either. On one recent three-hour flight to ATL connecting on to his destination, there was no service at all. When I mean no service it was just that. No juice, no coffee, no water---nothing! He had asked the FA when he boarded if they were going to serve coffee because the airport concessions were not yet open so he couldn't get some. (This was a 0600 departure to ATL.) She responded, "There is no service on this flight." He thought she was joking. Sure enough during the flight he said not one flight attendant passed through the aisle. He said at that point he did a count and there were 50 people on the 737-800. So on a three-hour flight these flight attedants couldn't even offer water?

My parents do a lot of traveling and they don't non-rev anywhere. I told my father to write the airline since, as a paying passenger, he has the right to "vent his frustration" over poor, unfriendly and uncaring service.

This is a classic example of why Delta and the other legacy carriers need to "go away".

 

[Ty Webb]

I have to say, it is very strange to get full service on a short AirTran flight, and get the "Fast Break" service on Delta or DCI, but that's what happens on the "one hour or less" flights from ATL.

 

[Rick James]

think we are trying to get better overall, and our Song product was voted best LCC by Reader's Digest (not bad)

WOW, thats one spectacular achievement. I think most travelers go to "Reader's Digest" for travel advice.

Thank gawd you guys at SkyWest have never pi$ed off a passenger, especially last Winter when you couldn't shoot Cat IIs at SLC.

People get pissed at EVERY airline Mr. Lee. Quit blaming an equipment problem on Skywest. Now get back to talking about great Song is, and how Delta is going to make a 180 and make billions.